Funeral service for Aretha Franklin in Detroit on August 31

The ceremony - which is livestreaming above - will conclude at about 3:00 p.m. ET, after a performance from Jennifer Holliday and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir.

Ever the diva, Franklin's outfit was the third "costume change" over the course of her several viewings since her death on 16 August: this final time, a rose gold gown.

Clinton, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Smokey Robinson are among the speakers.

The invitation-only funeral at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple caps off a week of high-profile public viewings and tribute concerts.

The former secretary of state was seen embracing and holding hands with the "God Is A Woman" singer as they exchanged words we only wish we were privy to. Opting to celebrate the accomplishments in her life rather than dwelling on her departure, the family enlisted a bunch of big names from Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill and The Clark Sisters to Ariana Grande.

Franklin's family members are also expected to take part in the service. "Let us all stand and thank them for sharing her with us". The tribute is a nod to Franklin's funky '80s tune, "Freeway of Love", which prominently featured the vehicle in the lyrics and video.

Simona Halep suffers shock first-round defeat at the US Open
But the Romanian, who broke through for a first Grand Slam title at the French Open this year, had no answer for Kanepi's power. Defending champion Sloane Stephens encountered late resistance but held on for a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Russian Evgeniya Rodina.

Workers carefully moved Franklin's polished bronze casket from the rotunda of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and loaded it in to a 1940 Cadillac LaSalle hearse.

Isiah Thomas, the former Detroit Pistons player and a friend of Franklin's, toldCNN he could hardly believe the day had arrived to say goodbye. "We used to talk about that - we saw a lot of soldiers go".

'There are some girls who haven't been born yet. who will be inspired by Aretha, ' he said.

Owens said Franklin loved fiercely and was the family's matriarch.

Franklin had continued to tour and record intermittently through her final year.

"We really haven't had much of an opportunity to have private moments", Owens said. Her last album, A Brand New Me, was released in November 2017, which paired archival vocal recordings for Atlantic Records with new orchestral arrangements by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Comments

Latest Posts

Trump welcomes president of Kenya to the White House
They however did not take any questions, with Trump particularly bombarded with questions about Senator John McCain's death. First Lady Melania Trump said she was pleased to have hosted her Kenyan counterpart.

Final farewells to Sen. John McCain begin at Arizona Capitol
Trump tweeted about McCain after his death Saturday but has passed up several chances to speak publicly on the Arizona senator. McConnell and McCain did not always agree, including a year ago when McCain voted against a repeal of the Affordable Care Act.